2019.12.06 – Open Broadband News

Deutsche Telekom opens all-IP gateway to higher bandwidth

Deutsche Telekom has revealed that it has finalized the migration to the Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) technology, converting approximately 97,400 network nodes nationwide to implement the BNG.

The BNG is one of the central elements for the conversion of the Telekom network to all-IP. According to Tim Becker, the project leader for BNG at Telekom, said it means that Telekom can provide higher bandwidths for customers.

Additionally, through the Broadband Network Gateway, Telekom automatically detects a connection, meaning that customers do not have to enter data such as port ID and password to use a router.

Three is the magic number – Openreach seeks new FTTH supplier

Openreach, the semi-autonomous fixed access infrastructure division of UK incumbent telco BT, is seeking a third Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) infrastructure supplier.

Huawei and Nokia are already Openreach vendors, but the British wholesale access operator has decided to triple-source its fixed access gear as it ramps up its rollout activities, with the aim of making FTTH available to 4 million homes and businesses by March 2021.

According to Broadband World News, Openreach has drawn up a tender document that will be made available to prospective suppliers later this week, with responses expected by January next year and a new supplier of local exchange, network and customer premises equipment (CPE) identified during the first half of 2020.

 You’re never organ-a believe it! Telecom Italia de-liver 5G enabled surgery

Telecom Italia has enabled remote surgery over a 5G connection in Italy, allowing the medical procedure to be assisted by a professor located more than 100 kilometers away from the operating theater through a 4K live-stream, which was also delivered to more than 30,000 surgeons around the world.

During the operation, Rome-based professor Giorgio Palazzini interacted with a medical team performing a laparoscopic procedure in a hospital in the city of Terni, using a VR headset.

The operator explained Palazzini participated “first-hand” in the surgery, observing the patient’s biometrics in real time using a trio of cameras broadcasting simultaneously from the operating theater.

Palazzini was also able to “zoom in and select important details,” Telecom Italia stated, adding the low latency over 5G had enabled high-quality video communication with 4K resolution.

Euro vision – CEOs want to sing from same hymn sheet  

According to a statement published by the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), the CEOs of European telcos have called for measures to support innovation and lower network deployment costs.

The statement, which was signed by more than 20 executives, said: “We believe that the ultimate purpose of the new and existing digital networks is to enable such opportunities.

“The extensive utilization of next-generation digital infrastructure, as well as the development of new digital services underpinned by such infrastructure, will be fundamental for achieving Europe’s ambitious socio-economic goals.”

The leaders pinpoint four key areas of focus, including a coordinated digital policy in Europe to ensure that European businesses can collaborate and compete globally.

5G captures the heart and Seoul of South Korea as the number of subscribers approaches four million

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, reports reveal that South Korea is close to hitting the milestone of four million 5G subscribers. This leadership makes South Korea closely watched by industry observers for how their 5G rollout is progressing, including the pace of adoption.

5G adoption is happening fast in South Korea, the October Ministry reports show that 5G networks across the country had 3.98 million subscribers. While it’s often debated whether South Korea or the US was first to launch a commercially available 5G network, both countries were among the first.

Looking back to September, the Ministry said more than 516,000 people subscribed to 5G services, while half a million new 5G subscribers have been added every month since networks launched in April. Therefore, in a bid to handle the exploding amount of traffic, South Korea plans to double 5G spectrum allocation by 2026.